atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Computers & Programming Computers, Software, Accessories Upgrade my PC?

Not too late. I continue to procrastinate. Plus I've been tied up with some family matters. And religious matters And.....

Sam

The only possible sticking point in your hardware would be the SCSI scanner. Not many PCs come with SCSI of any type pre-installed anymore, and even if you do get one with a SCSI card/port, you will more than likely have to use an adapter, as the SCSI standard has advanced several iterations in the last decade, including wholesale changes to the physical connector.
With SCSI/USB adapters, I suggest caution. The software drivers for many are not up to par, imo (You can always blame Microsoft - everybody else does). And it's gonna be hard to find a SCSI2-to-USB adapter, which would mean an adapter chain.
Assuming your PC won't have a SCSI port, I'd just look for a SCSI card online. Adaptec (venerable SCSI/storage specialists) used to make a well-regarded SCSI2 card which you could find retail for less than $50. But any SCSI card would work with the proper SCSI2 adapter.
My $0.02 regarding Dell: I've been doing business with them (across their product line) for more I care to remember. Basically, for a work/business PC you should avoid the Home/Home Office division. As was suggested, even in the business divisions, avoid the "re-branded" Home PCs. Stick with strictly business lines such as Latitude (laptops), Optiplex, or Precision (if you're really betting the business on it)
Same goes for the HP machines (though they're consistently 5-8% more expensive in an A/B comparison)
I have nothing against the Mac. I own a MacBook Pro and have owned Apple machines since 1977 (The choice back then was between a car and an Apple II - the Apple being slightly more expensive. The nerd in me beat the rebel, and I got the Apple). But for a whole bunch of reasons which would take a lot to list here, if this was the only PC that I have, I would not go with the Mac.

Good luck,
Perry

Edit: The Adaptec card I was refering to above is the 2906. This is an internal PCI card. Most computers these days have PCI slots on the board, but there are a few that only have the newer-type slots, called PCI-Express. For a laptop, you can probably still find a PC Card with a SCSI port or use an "expander" with a SCSI port built-in, but that's more stuff to lug.

If you know the scanner model, I can look up the port it uses of the many options. Then it would just need the card for a desktop or a SCSI PC-Card for the notebook and the appropriate cable between the card and device, the cable is usually easy to locate. A seperate notebook card will be more expensive than a replacement USB scanner for a notebook. This is one of the reasons I suggested that particular Docking station/notebook combo.

If you are not absolutely tied to using the scsi scanner on the notebook, Id suggest getting a USB scanner and that would work fine with any new notebooks.

As an example I have an thinish USB scanner which is bus powered that I keep in my notebook bag for scanning paperwork when I am on the road doing installs. The USB scanner is great for quick document imageing. When I'm dong high quality color photo scanning I use the SCSI scanner I have at home.

The scanner is an HP Scanjet 4P. I've got a PCI SSCI card for it now. If I change PCs, I'll move the card.

Sam